Brian and I chose one of the coldest days of the season to hike Big Swamp. Temperatures rose to only about 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) after midday. The swamp was dark and gloomy in the cold and both our cameras and eyes had difficulty focusing, to the point that we missed at least one important fork in the trail that resulted in our having to make a disconcerting backtrack. We also somehow missed the short path that leads to Melkor's Pond and the rather menacing baldcypress that guards it. I have never seen ice in the Pascagoula River Basin in our years of exploring it (since 2014). Water levels were significantly higher than on my last trip; we unfortunately got our feet wet more than once, and were obliged to make a risky crossing of German Slough towards the end of the hike.
The birds were mostly quiet. We neither saw nor heard anything suggestive of Ivorybills or their activity, though while along Melkor's Road we both heard the same strange, distant calling that had mystified me on my previous hike there. I suspect it was a squirrel, but the acoustics of that place may have been playing tricks on our ears.
White-tailed deer were very active. We had pleasant conversations with hunters on ATV's on two different occasions, and they seemed a bit amazed at the ground we had covered on foot (around 12 miles total, by Brian's measure).
We were making for Hog Pond, but it remained elusive as before, and we were obliged to turn back after hiking around eight hours.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Fresh woodpecker work on the forest floor.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
I suspect Pileated Woodpecker. Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
The steel ATV bridge over this slough was completely submerged. Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
The gloom gave way to blue skies as we made our way north up Big Swamp Road.
Photo: Brian Carlisle.
Ever troublesome German Slough, along our return hike. Brian and I successfully crossed it via the same downed tree we have used in the past, though on this day it was partially submerged in icy water. Photo: Brian Carlisle
